Team Herald
PANJIM: In a major development, the jurisdiction of the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) could be extended with the inclusion of the Taleigao village panchayat into the city corporation.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
The move, which is expected to take shape before the upcoming CCP elections due in March, will increase the number of municipal wards to 50 from the existing 30.
The proposal, which has been jointly moved by Taleigao MLA and Minister Jennifer Monserrate and her husband Panjim MLA Atanasio (Babush) Monserrate, is currently before the State government, awaiting a resolution from Taleigao panchayat.
CCP currently consists of 30 wards of which 21 are part of Panjim constituency, while nine fall in Taleigao constituency. The proposal is to increase the number of wards to 50 – that is 30 in Panjim and 20 in Taleigao. Highly placed sources confirmed that the proposal has reached the government and the latter is awaiting a resolution from the Taleigao panchayat.
“The inclusion of wards will take place before the CCP polls, which are likely to take place in mid-March, along with elections to 13 municipalities,” sources said.
Almost two decades ago in 2002, a similar move was proposed by then Panjim MLA late Manohar Parrikar, who faced strong opposition from then Taleigao MLA Atanasio Monserrate.
Atanasio Monserrate joining BJP in 2019, less than two months after being elected as MLA, gave a major twist to the political dynamics within the CCP.
Monserrate, who had his panel fight the BJP in every CCP election, has to this time work out equations to ensure that the saffron party members get an equal share in the council.
